The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medications listed below. Only the most general side effects are included. Ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Use each of these medications only as recommended by your doctor, and according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your doctor.

Note:
Be sure to tell your doctor what other prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbs you are taking; they could interact with your lipid medicine.

If your cholesterol level is elevated, your doctor may order medication to take in addition to recommending changes in your diet and lifestyle. The decision to start cholesterol-lowering drugs depends on your cholesterol level and your other heart-disease risk factors.

Statins (HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors)

Common names include:

Fluvastatin
(Lescol)

Atorvastatin
(Lipitor)

Lovastatin
(Mevacor)

Pravastatin
(Pravachol)

Simvastatin
(Zocor)

Rosuvastatin
(Crestor)

Pitavastatin (Livalo)

Statins lower total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. They also lower heart disease risks. The drugs are usually taken daily with dinner or in the evening. Your doctor may measure your blood cholesterol levels regularly while you are taking these drugs.

Even if you currently have no known coronary heart disease (CHD), you may benefit from taking statin (cholesterol-lowering) medications, particularly if your cholesterol levels are elevated. The medication may reduce the incidence of heart attack,
stroke
, and death.

Significant side effects that have been reported with the use of statin medications include:

Headache

Muscle pain and/or damage

Liver damage (rare)

Rash

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Common names include:

Cholestyramine
(Questran)

Colestipol
(Colestid)

Colesevelam
(Welchol)

Bile acid sequestrants lower cholesterol levels by changing the way that cholesterol is metabolized. The drugs are in powder form and are taken with meals to decrease side effects. They should not be taken within hours of any other medications. Usually this you should take other medicines either one hour before or four hours after taking this medication.

Possible side effects include, but are not limited to:

Heartburn

Bloating

Constipation

Niacin or Nicotinic Acid

Niacin is a B vitamin. At higher doses, it can lower cholesterol levels and triglycerides. It is not known how it works. Niacin should be taken with meals, two or three times per day, or once a day with the extended release pill.

Possible side effects can include, but are not limited to:

Flushing

Itching

Rash

Digestive system distress

Fibric Acid Derivatives

Common names include:

Gemfibrozil
(Lopid)

Fenofibrate
(Lofibra, Tricor)

Fibric acid derivatives are usually taken to lower triglyceride levels and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. They may also help lower LDL cholesterol.

Possible side effects include, but are not limited to:

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Diarrhea

Rash

Itching

Gallstones

Muscle pain or inflammation (especially if taken with a statin)

Selective Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Zetia
(Ezetimibe)

Ezetimibe lowers both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. It works by a different mechanism than the statins by decreasing the amount of cholesterol that your body absorbs.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.